3 Bloomfield School Board Members Claim Election Day Win

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Three incumbent school board members in Bloomfield have claimed an Election Day victory in 2023: Kasey Dudley, Nadeisha Greene and Stephanie Parry.

With the majority of votes counted in Bloomfield, the three candidates – who ran together on the “Students Parents Community” slate – have declared a victory in the race for the Bloomfield Board of Education. Official results are still uncertified. Read More: Bloomfield School Board Election: Parry, Greene, Dudley In The Lead

Dudley posted the following message on social media the day after the election:

“The only thing better than being an elected official is taking a step back on election night, allowing the community to speak, and THEN BEING RE-ELECTED. As the current vice president of the Bloomfield BOE, I think it's safe to say on behalf of Nadeisha Greene, and Stephanie Claudine Parry, that we are deeply grateful for the trust and support you have placed in us as your Board of Education representatives. It is an honor and privilege to have been re-elected for another term to serve the Students Parents Community of Bloomfield.”

Dudley continued:

“Re-election is not just a victory for us, but a victory for all of us who call Bloomfield home. Bloomfield is not just a place on the map in Essex County; it's a vibrant, diverse, and close community, regardless of whether we reside in the north or south sides of town. Together, we are united by a shared love for children and this special place we call home. Whether you voted for the Students Parents Community team or not, let's continue to build a positive momentum for our children and this community. Humble thanks for your continued support.”

The slate previously shared some details about each board member in the days leading up to the election, which can be seen on their campaign Facebook page.

KASEY DUDLEY

Kasey Dudley is a dedicated activist and advocate deeply committed to childhood development, education, and supporting families of children with special healthcare needs. With a background in advertising and as a graduate fellow of the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program at Rutgers University, Kasey's influence extends far and wide. Currently serving as the National Director of Early Childhood Development and Healthy Systems "Evidence to Impact" under National Family Voices, Kasey has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to empowering others.

In addition to this role, Kasey also holds the position of contracted project director at the Statewide Parent Information Center (SPAN Advocacy), specifically for the "Parents as Champions for Healthy Schools" initiative. Kasey's journey has led her to consult with clinical practices nationwide through the Center for the Study of Social Policy Brain. She also serves as a Community Catalyst for the National Urban Institute and is the Co-Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Children with Disabilities DEI workgroup.

As a candidate for the Board of Education and the current Vice President, Kasey Dudley aims to work collaboratively with fellow board members and district administration to obtain consensus, when necessary, always with the aim of empowering the community for growth and opportunity for all learners. In her first three years on the Board of Education, Mrs. Dudley has achieved an impressive array of accomplishments alongside her fellow board members. She supported the introduction of the "Backstop Program," a pivotal initiative to provide additional support to struggling students. As a staunch advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), she successfully supported and championed the hiring of diverse principals and increased the number of teachers from underrepresented backgrounds, fostering a more inclusive educational environment. Together, the Administration and Board's leadership was instrumental in the passage of the Quality Single Accountability Continuum (QSAC) assessment, ensuring accountability and performance in our schools.

Kasey's passion for supporting children with disabilities comes from her own personal experience raising her son and adult sister. She has honed her communication skills with culturally diverse individuals facing communication barriers. Her initiatives include the establishment of a Parent support group, Parents Advisory Committee, and the facilitation of monthly workshops, along with engaging families and schools in various community access activities and connecting them with outside service providers.

Her work extends beyond the local community. As a member of the National Center for the Study of Social Policy Brain Trust, Kasey has consulted with clinical practices and parents across the country, focusing on promoting young children's social and emotional health and improving kindergarten readiness for students and families of all backgrounds. She firmly believes that diversity strengthens the community when everyone partners together to serve the needs of our children.

Kasey also brings significant experience in budget management, having overseen budgets exceeding several million dollars in revenues during her tenure as an online marketing director in a previous role. This skill set sets her apart, as she understands the importance of managing budgets and allocating resources to benefit those she serves.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Kasey is a certified Community Doula, Lactation Counselor, and Licensed Clinical Massage Therapist, with specializations in Infant and prenatal Massage and sensory integration for children with special healthcare needs. She has a track record of conducting vital training series, like "The Benefits of Breastfeeding," for underserved minority women in Essex County.

Kasey's impact resonates deeply within her Bloomfield, NJ community, where she actively contributes to the Mayor's Council Commission for Civil Rights and serves as a Co-Founder of the Annual Juneteenth Observant Committee. Her dedication to education and community service led to her election and ultimately the Vice President of Bloomfield Board of Education in 2022, making her the first woman of color to hold the position of Vice President in the history of the district.

Over the past three years, Kasey has received four total proclamations from Governor Murphy and Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia. In 2023, she was nominated and recognized as one of Bloomfield's "Women to Watch," followed by her induction into the Bloomfield Historical Society and congressional recognition from NJ Congresswoman Mikey Sherrill. As a wife, mother, caregiver, and trusted advocate, Kasey embodies transformative community leadership. Vote for her to continue making a positive impact on the Board of Education and the community.

NADEISHA GREENE

Nadeisha Greene was born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and emigrated to Brooklyn, NY at the age of ten years old. She has been a resident of Bloomfield for the past nine years with her husband and two sons. Her sons attend Demarest Elementary School and are in 3rd and 5th grades.

She attended Brooklyn College, The City University of New York where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, Management, and Finance and a Master of Arts degree in Performing Arts Management. She spent six years working at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College as the Marketing Manager before transitioning into the educational field. She has been an educator and has worked in schools for almost thirteen years. Currently, she’s the Director of Operations at a charter school where she’s responsible for the efficient running of the school and the implementation of operations systems for a population of close to three hundred students. She oversees school-based purchasing and finance, plans and coordinates school events, completes NJDOE reporting and ensures compliance, and manages facilities, technology, student recruitment, marketing and social media, school safety, and hiring and recruiting. In addition, she has experience working with school boards to implement strategic plans, create policies, and set the direction of a school district. She has onboarded new board members, and works with state vendors to provide state contracting pricing. She has been appointed to be the Asbestos Management/PEOSA and the Indoor Air Quality Officer, the Integrated Pest Management and Right to Know Officer, and the Chemical Hygiene Coordinator. Furthermore, she’s a certified School Safety Specialist, and hold a certificate and have had training in the following areas: ServSafe Food Handler; CPR; PowerSchool University; Bloodborne Pathogens; Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB); EpiPen; Seizure; Excelling as a Manager or Supervisor; and Motivating, Engaging & Inspiring Employees.

She has had the esteemed honor of serving as a Bloomfield School Board Member for the past three years. She currently sits on the finance and facilities committee and is the liaison for the Township of Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Advisory Committee. She has also served on the following committees during her first term: personnel; strategic planning (chair); community outreach; budget; and technology. She was also a member of the hiring committee for the Demarest & Oak View principal search. She has close to 40 hours of New Jersey School Board Association (NJSBA) training as a board member and in her professional role. She is a Certified Board Leader and received the Carole E. Larsen Master Board Certificate, along with her fellow board members. Furthermore, she has been a guest reader for Read Across America at Brookdale, Demarest, and Franklin Elementary Schools and has participated in the planning for Bloomfield’s First Juneteenth Celebration. She was an Oak View HSA BOE representative and is currently the Carteret HSA BOE representative.

Before being elected to the school board in 2020, she co-founded the Bloomfield DEI Network, which is dedicated to helping the Bloomfield School District achieve its DEI goals as part of its current strategic plan. She actively participates in HSA meetings, volunteers at school events, is a class parent, chaperones field trips, attends Demarest's Diversity Committee meetings, and reads to her children's classrooms. In collaboration with two other Demarest parents, she created activities to teach children about Hanukkah and Kwanzaa at the annual Winter Kids' Paint Night. She has also been involved with Start with Hello, where she wrote positive affirmations on the sidewalks at various Bloomfield Schools.

Nadeisha’s main motivation for running for re-election is to continue to have a positive impact on the decision-making process regarding how best to move Bloomfield Schools forward and ensure that the schools provide a diverse, equitable, and inclusive education for all children. There have been huge strides in the district, but there is still more work to be done. She would like to continue the great work that her fellow board members, the administration, and herself have started, and it will allow her to continue to help set district priorities and shape and monitor educational policies. In addition, she’s passionate about education and wants the students, parents, teachers, and staff to feel confident and proud that the district is providing the best education and opportunities for all children. She strongly believes, what the children learn today in this beloved district needs to prepare them for success in college and beyond.

When Nadeisha is not working, attending meetings, and cheering her kids on at sports events, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, doing jigsaw puzzles, and building LEGOs.

STEPHANIE PARRY

Stephanie has lived in Bloomfield for six years with her two sons, a second grader at Demarest Elementary School and a preschooler. She was appointed by her peers to the Bloomfield Board of Education in April of this year, filling a vacant seat. Her desire to run in this year’s election to continue serving on the board stems from her belief in the promise of public education and a commitment to ensuring that all students in Bloomfield have access to the highest quality schooling.

She brings a rich set of experiences in the education sector to the role, including direct experience in special education classrooms, driving grassroots community education programs in her home state of California, overseeing regional grant-funded education initiatives in South Africa and Uganda, conducting education policy research in Washington D.C., and leading innovative cross-sector education strategies in Newark, NJ.

Currently, she oversees all development, public, and government relations for a non-profit that supports a network of 22 public high schools in New York and provides social-emotional, post-secondary readiness, and academic programming to several districts nationwide. Previously, she led a portfolio of work in 33 public schools in Newark focused on creating safe and supportive learning environments through high-quality partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and promotion of effective practices in program design and implementation.

Stephanie also led the development of programs and policy at the National Living Cities Integration Initiative’s (TII) partner site in Newark - a systems-change effort to improve the education outcomes of children in low-income neighborhoods by improving their health and well-being. There, she conducted advocacy efforts to bridge gaps in education, primary care, mental health services, housing, and nutrition for children.

She holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in Education from the University of California, Berkeley, where she co-founded the campus’s first multicultural sorority and wrote her undergraduate honors thesis on perceptions of diversity and multiculturalism in America. She also holds a Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from George Mason University. She is a certified Strategic Planning Professional (SPP) with the International Association for Strategic Planning and a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (South Africa, 2008-2011).

Stephanie is an outdoor enthusiast and gardener. In her spare time, she enjoys strength training, swimming, bicycling, and spending time with her two sons.

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